The Benefits of Implementing a Landscaping Plan

Whatever the reason, a landscaping project should suit your lifestyle. It should also fit within your budget. The only way to ensure your project will meet your needs is to create a plan.

A landscaping plan will help you put your thoughts down on paper. It will help you create a timeline that fits around your lifestyle. It will also help you create estimates about how much your project will cost.

Additionally, your landscaping plan will help you create a risk assessment. It will highlight all possible eventualities before the project starts.

If you’ve created your plan, great! Here are some considerations you should make when choosing between landscaping companies.

Establish Your Needs

The landscaping companies you look at should be able to fulfill your needs without you having to go to a third party. Here are some questions you should ask yourself:

Which Services Do I Need?

The best landscaping companies can provide an array of services.

That said, some specialize in maintenance landscape while others provide a full service. If you want installation or design work done, you should opt for a full-service company.

What Manpower Do I Need?

If you have a big project planned, the company you use should have the manpower to get the job done.

Better yet, they should have the right number of employees to get the job done on time.

What Is My Budget?

Before you embark on a landscaping project, make sure you have enough money. You can ask landscaping companies for quotes.

If the price seems too good to be true, be wary. If it’s a lot more expensive, make sure they’re not ripping you off.

When Do I Need the Project Completed?

Are you renovating your outdoor space to sell your home? If so, do you need your landscape ready for house viewings?

If the answer to both these questions is yes then make your requirements clear before hiring anyone.

Check the Reputation and References for All Landscaping Companies

It’s common for people to choose a landscaping company based on price. Of course, sticking to your budget is important. But, you also need to be sure your chosen landscaper can get the job done.

The only way to know if their skillset suits your needs is to find out if they are reputable.

To do so, you can ask your neighbors which landscaping companies they use. You can also ask these companies for references.

At Find A Business That, we link people to reputable businesses. You can browse providers on our website by typing in your needs and your location.

Check If They Can Offer More Than Basic Maintenance

Of course, if all you need is maintenance, then that’s all you need to look for. That said, if you want someone to do more than mow your lawn, choose a company that delivers a broad range of services.

Some jobs that full-service landscaping companies provide include but are not limited to:

Lighting

Flower and tree planting

Waterscape expertise

Lawn care

Landscape renovations

Ask for Someone with Knowledge Specific to Your Garden

Do you have beautiful Bonsai trees and other exotic plants that need special attention? If so, you need someone that knows how to care for these specific shrubs and plants.

Your landscaping professional should have the following:

Extensive Experience

Some new traders may have converted from one outdoor profession to the other. This means they may have the experience to offer you a great service.

That said, if they don’t have years of experience as landscape gardeners, they may not offer a professional service at all.

You want someone that’s been in the business for years. Someone who has stuck with this profession through thick and thin. The fact of the matter is, if they don’t offer good service, people in your neighborhood will tell you all about it!

A sign that a landscape professional is less experienced is if they charge a lot less than others. Seasoned veterans will have a set price and they won’t go much lower than that.

Resources and Tools

Landscaping companies invest thousands of dollars into resources and equipment. If the company doesn’t have the right tools, how can they get the job done, right?

Before hiring anyone, make sure they have the adequate equipment. Remember, if they charge very little, how would they have the funds to invest in the right tools?

Some tools landscaping companies should have include:

Pruning shears

Aerators

Lawnmowers

Trucks

Trailers

Safety equipment e.g. gloves and eye protection

Visual Outline of Plans

A visual outline in a drawing format is the only way you can know what your landscaper is offering you.

When considering landscaping companies, ask them to create a visual plan for you. You should see this before you agree to work with them.

They may charge you to keep the drawings, especially if you choose to work with a different company. That said, they should show you them for free.

You can also ask them to show you pictures of similar projects they’ve completed in the past.

Check If They Have Adequate Credentials

The first question you should ask landscaping companies is: “Do you have all the adequate credentials?”

These should include:

Insurance

The most important thing to check is the company’s insurance policy. If the workers get hurt on your property and the company doesn’t have compensation insurance, you could be liable.

While many places now demand companies have this insurance, others don’t. With this in mind, check your state laws before looking for landscaping services.

Additionally, the landscaping company itself should have insurance. This insurance should cover your property in case it sustains any damage to it.

Make sure that whatever happens to you, the workers, or your property, you won’t be the one footing the bill.

Licenses

There are various licenses that your contractor should have. These licenses will depend on the type of work you need.

For example, if your landscape gardener is going to spray fertilizer or pesticide, they should have an Applicator’s License.

Additionally, some landscapers require a home improvement contractor’s license from their state. They need this if they’re going to perform:

Renovation projects

Remodeling projects

Construction projects

Unfortunately, many people start landscaping companies without any credentials at all. By working with one that doesn’t, you’re not covered if anything happens.

Certifications are key to identifying whether a company is established within its industry. These companies have the best trained and most qualified employees. They’re the ones that will undertake your project to meet the highest standards.

HTA Companies, Inc., in Michigan, works with residential and commercial clients. The company is licensed to undertake landscaping, property management, and parking lot maintenance projects, among others.

Standard Building Practices

You need to ask your landscape contractor what installation process they will use. It’s your responsibility to ask:

What materials they will use

What equipment they will use

How they are going to build the project

Find out what the company’s standard building practices are and get construction details.

Before your project starts, you need to be sure they will execute it in a safe way. Your project should not:

Disrupt neighbors

Be detrimental to the environment

Break any of your local laws

Ask For a Contract

Before you start working with a company and paying them money, create a contract. This contract should be in writing and should include:

The start and end date of the project

Details of the work you are paying for

The amount of money you are paying

The mode of payment

Any other terms and conditions you have agreed upon with your contractor

While you can create a contract with a lawyer, this will cost more money. If you want to create a contract without legal advice, here are some pointers:

Outline all obligations and responsibilities

Be consistent

Avoid duplication

Avoid legal jargon

Add a surety bond

Find the Best Contractors in Your Area

If you want to learn more helpful tips on how to find the best contractors in your area, you’re in the right place.

At Find A Business That, we link people with professional and reputable contractors in their area.

Not only this, we share important resources that can help you make some of the tougher decisions in life with more confidence.

From DIY to legal advice, travel, and everything in between, we’ve got you covered so visit us today for more information.